Lessons

Phrasal verbs are a part of everyday conversation for English speakers. The following are commonly used in casual conversation. Understanding them will allow you to confidently have a casual conversation.

10 Phrasal Verbs for Casual Conversation

Be up to

Definition: Doing something.

Example: What have you been up to lately?

Example: What are you up to this morning?

Why this is a useful phrasal verb: This is a common way to casually ask a friend what their plans are or what they are doing.

Come over

Definition: To go to someone’s house or location.

Example: Do you want to come over later?

Why this is a useful phrasal verb: This phrasal verb is the most common way to ask your friend to your house.

Thanks for coming over for lunch!

End up

Definition: To do something or become something that was not in the original plan.

Example: We planned to go to the movies, but we ended up going to the beach because it was a beautiful day.

Example: I wanted to be a surgeon, but I ended up being a dentist.

Why this is a useful phrasal verb: Plans change! The phrasal verb “end up” is a great way to express this.

Get together

Definition: To meet socially.

Example: Marianne and I are getting together this weekend for drinks.

Why this is a useful phrasal verb: This phrasal verb is the easiest way to express social plans.

We gottogether and studied for our TOEFL test.

Help out

Definition: To help someone.

Example: Thanks for helping out with the cleanup after the party!

Why this is a useful phrasal verb: We all help our friends out when we can.

Keep up

Definition: Continue doing something; persist.

Example: I can’t keep up with my work lately.

Why this is a useful phrasal verb: We have to keep up with many things: our jobs, our homework, even the lives of our friends.

I raninto my friend at the mall.

Run into

Definition: To meet someone unexpectedly.

Example: Guess who I ran into the other day? My old teacher!

Why this is a useful phrasal verb: We run into people we know often: RUN INTO expresses this better than saying “I saw _____.”

Take off

Definition: To leave (casual/slang).

Example: I have to take off in about 5 minutes. I have to meet my Mom.

Why this is a useful phrasal verb: This is a common way to casually say that you need to leave. English speakers use it often.

I’m takingoff in 10 minutes and going to the beach. Wanna come?

Turn out

Definition: To produce an unexpected result.

Example: I was worried about ordering a lavender coffee, but it turned out to be delicious.

Example: How did your cake turn out? Did you like that new recipe?

Why this is a useful phrasal verb: Things do not always go as we planned. This phrasal verb expresses this situation perfectly (and casually)!

Note: this phrasal verb is slightly different than END UP, although both refer to an end result. END UP focuses more on the outcome or result, while TURN OUT focuses more on producing the result.

Show up

Definition: To arrive.

Example: I think everyone is showing up around 7:30.

Why this is a useful phrasal verb: This is a casual way to say “arrive” and is often used in conversation. “Arrive” is more formal.

Do you study and study English but feel like your language skills are not improving? Perhaps you are making some of these very common mistakes.

Why Your English Isn’t Improving

You aren’t getting enough practice speaking

Speaking skills can be some of the most difficult to improve, mainly because it requires many hours of speaking practice to see real improvement. Are you interacting with native English speakers in real-life environments?

You aren’t making it a part of your daily routine

Change your phone’s language to English. Follow English speaking accounts on Instagram. Always watch movies or TV shows with English subtitles. In short, make sure that English surrounds you!

You aren’t thinking in English

A common (and understandable) mistake that many English learners make is trying to translate exact sentences and phrases into their native language (or vise versa). Once you realize that English will never directly translate to your native language, you will begin thinking in English. This will greatly help you improve your skills.

You’re too nervous

It is also common to be nervous to speak English, but this feeling will only hurt your progress! Remind yourself that language learning is a process and that it is OK to make mistakes. Be sure to surround yourself with people who support your language learning and provide you with constructive criticism.

You aren’t fixing fossilized errors

“Fossilized errors” are mistakes that we make again and again. Is there an English tense that you struggle with? Or a sound that’s difficult to pronounce? Perhaps you have a difficult time with certain irregular verbs? Or maybe phrasal verbs make your head spin? Identify your weaknesses and then work hard to fix them. Speaking without worrying about these mistakes will allow you to communicate confidently!

Converse International School of Languages has provided quality English language instruction to international students in San Francisco and San Diego since 1973. To learn more about our intensive programs and our small classes (no more than 8 students per class; 4 students in our premier programs) contact CISL.

In the English language, we use the word “so” in several different ways. Each way allows us to speak with more emphasis; some uses of the word “so” are more typically “Southern Californian” than others. Learn the most common ways of using the word “so” here!

“SO” + Adverbs and Adjectives (and Things that are “so” San Diego)

“So” means several things in English.

“To such a great extent”

In this meaning, “so” is an adverb that shows the degree (level) of an adjective or adverb.

Why are you so angry? (This person isn’t a little angry: he is very angry.)

I didn’t realize the car was parked so far away. (The person is surprised that the distance is very far.)

Why are you speaking so slowly?

My presentation didn’t go so well.

“Very, very”

In this meaning, “so” is an intensifier. It intensifies (gives more meaning to) the adverb or adjective it is modifying.

In these cases, we can switch the word “so” with the word “very.” The meanings seem the same, but “so” is more intense than the word “very.”

You are so beautiful.

Thank you so much!

That was so thoughtful of you.

“So” + ADJECTIVE/ADVERB + THAT

We often use the construction SO + ADJECTIVE/ADVERB + THAT to show the effect of something.

He was so tired that he fell asleep while eating his ice cream.

I was so upset that I threw my shoe.

She was so tall that none of the pants in the store could fit her.

Slang: “so” for a characteristic

With this meaning, “so” is used to show that something or someone is the perfect example of another thing. For example, if someone’s name is Summer, and she lives in San Diego and goes surfing every morning, she is SO Californian!

My friend Jane is the perfect student. One day after the teacher gave us our assignment, she completed it! That’s SO Jane.

We went surfing, ate a burrito, and then watched the sunset. Today was SO Southern California.

With that shirt and those cowboy boots, you look SO country.

This sushi roll has avocado and cilantro. It’s SO Californian.

Things that are “so” San Diego

Fish tacos

Yes, tacos with fish. Or lobster. Or scallops! With its close proximity to Mexico, it’s no surprise that California food is influenced by typically Mexican spices and flavors. Since San Diego is on the beach, it’s also no surprise that the local food includes a lot of seafood! While in San Diego, be sure to try fish tacos. In most places, you can order the fish grilled or fried. The toppings will vary at each restaurant, but many include avocado or guacamole, salsa, and cabbage.

Seafood + Mexican food? SO San Diego!

ComicCon

The craziest and most exciting week in San Diego is ComicCon week! Every July, celebrities and comic book fans come to the city’s Convention Center for a crazy week of events, shows, and exhibits. It’s the perfect time to walk around Downtown San Diego and see all of the costumes. Be on the lookout for celebrities as well: you never know who you are going to see!

ComicCon? SO San Diego!

Slomo

Go to Mission and Pacific Beaches and most days you will see Slomo: a man on rollerblades who rides up and down the beach boardwalk for hours. Slomo is a staple of the city, and he is now famous throughout the nation: the New York Times made a video about him! Slomo is actually a doctor who retired in order to pursue real happiness. He found it . . . on the beaches of San Diego!

The happiest person alive is a doctor-turned-rollerblader? SO San Diego!

Surfboard museum in a taco shop

A taco shop in Pacific Beach isn’t just a taco shop: it’s also a museum that pays tribute to Southern California’s surf culture! In 1989, Cindy and Sam McLarty opened Taco Surf, a surf shop that displays more than 90 surfboards.

Is there anything more “San Diego” than a surf museum in a taco shop? Nope! SO San Diego.

People often say that English comes from Latin. But how “Latin” is English? According to experts, English is about 29% Latin. Understanding the origins of English (and specifically how Latin works within it) will help you have a better understanding of the English language.

According to this “Origins of English” chart, English is nearly 30% Latin!

Latin in English

How is Latin working in English? Latin is used in English in the form of expressions, terms related to law and science, and with adjectives related to nature and biology. Let’s take a look at each.

Common Latin expressions

Here are some Latin expressions commonly used in English:

e.g. (exempli gratia)

Definition: for example

Example: Most of San Diego’s main beaches (e.g. Mission Beach and Pacific Beach) have boardwalks.

etc. (et cetera)

Definition: and other things; and so forth

Example: We did all the major touristy things: the SD Zoo, the beaches, Balboa Park, etc.

i.e. (id est)

Definition: which means; in other words

Example: I’m super pale, i.e. I need a tan!

N.B. or n.b. (nota bene)

Definition: note well; take notice

Example: As you can see from the report, the weather in SD is beautiful year-round, but n.b. the cooler evenings. You will need a sweater.

P.S. (post script)

Definition: an addition remark at the end of a letter

Example:P.S. Did I mention that I love you?

Latin in law

Latin is commonly found in terms related to law . . . but you don’t have to be a lawyer to use these terms!

ad hoc

Definition: translated to “for this,” used to describe something created or used for a specific purpose.

Example: They created an ad hoc agreement for the new client.

affidavit

Definition: translated to “he has sworn,” used to describe a formal statement.

Example: I have a signed affidavit from the witness.

bona fide

Definition: translated to “in good faith,” used to show someone’s good intentions regardless of a situation’s outcome.

Example: The man said he thought he was buying a bona fide autograph of Michael Jordan, but it was a fake.

de facto

Definition: translated to “from fact” or “in fact,” used to reference something that is true in practice, but has not been officially instituted or endorsed. (This is often applied to an unofficial position someone works without being given an official title.)

Example: He worked as the de facto manager until a new one was hired.

Latin in adjectives

An interesting way English has preserved Latin is found in the use of some adjectives. In many cases in English, there are both German and Latin nouns for one thing. The Latin word is often more formal and is related to science. It is often both an adjective and a noun (depending on its use) and typically serves as the adjective form of the Germanic noun. In the examples below, the Latin version serves as an adjective.

Here are some examples in relation to nature and biology:

bee/apian

I am allergic to bees. (noun)

Apian allergies are common. (adjective)

bird/avian

I love to watch the birds in the morning. (noun)

Avian sciences are fascinating. (adjective)

cat/feline

I’m a cat person. I’ve always had cats. (noun)

My dog sometimes acts like a cat. I say she has feline tendencies. (adjective)

dog/canine

My dog is 10 years old. (noun)

There is nothing more impressive than canine loyalty. (adjective)

horse/equine

Have you ever ridden a horse? (noun)

I am studying equine diseases. (adjective)

man/masculine

I met a man from Kentucky. (noun)

This cologne has a very masculine odor. (adjective)

moon/lunar

There will be a full moon tonight. (noun)

Did you see the lunar eclipse? (adjective)

sun/solar

I need some sun! (noun)

The car is powered by solar energy. (adjective)

water/aquatic

I’m afraid of dark water. (noun)

Have you been to the new aquatic center? (adjective)

woman/feminine

He married a wonderful woman from Germany. (noun)

What a beautiful and feminine dress. (adjective)

A few others, just for fun:

boat/naval

Do you know how to drive a boat? (noun)

I just learned about this interesting naval battle in history class. (adjective)

book/literary

That was a great book. (noun)

I always appreciate a literary man or woman. (adjective)

house/domestic

They just bought a new house. (noun)

I prefer domestic chores to chores outside, like mowing the lawn. (adjective)

town/urban

Do you live in a town or in the country? (noun)

I had a very urban childhood. (adjective)

Can you think of ways that Latin lives in English? Tell us on Facebook!